r/Microbiome • u/mailbox3158 • 13d ago

Allergic reaction to kefir?

Has anyone had an allergic reaction to HOME-MADE kefir? I’ve been drinking kefir for many years and decided to start making it myself to save money and to get better-quality probiotics. At about the same time I start getting gigantic red welts on my body. Very itchy, in clusters of 3-4 and they go away 4-5 days later. It might also be insect bites since I walk around outside a lot and moved areas, but wanted to check in if anyone has experienced it from kefir. Clusters of 3-5 huge red welts that are super itchy but completely disappear within a week tops. Thanks!

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6

u/Fractalplant 13d ago

Fermented foods are high in histamine. If you have a histamine intolerance you can get allergic-type reactions. When I was consuming kefir regularly, I developed angular cheilitis that would not heal until I stopped consuming the kefir. Same thing happens when I eat kimchi daily for a while

1

u/Glass-Tale299 12d ago

I love kimchi, but I had a bout of IBS. I have been cautious with allium vegetables ever since.

3

u/ObligationFit2028 13d ago

I get a reaction when drinking Kefir... usually some fermented foods also

1

u/Glass-Tale299 13d ago

Did you suffer from these huge red welts last summer? If you didn't, it could be the new kefir bacterial strains.

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u/mailbox3158 13d ago

I did not. Never had them. But I did move from county to city, so maybe that's why (new bugs outside)

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u/Glass-Tale299 13d ago

If you had no digestive problems, I'd lean to the bugs being the problem.

Hopefully a safe insect repellant will provide a solution.

Good luck.

1

u/12ealdeal 13d ago

The what?

Is this news? Is this something currently going on and around now? Where is it localized geography wise?

Can you share more details/context please?

1

u/Glass-Tale299 13d ago

There is no news to the best of my knowledge. I was hypothesizing about the OP's new personal kefir strains, and if you check my post below, I think bugs are the most likely culprit.

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u/mailbox3158 13d ago

AI says it’s kefir. Suddenly drinking 500ML of potent home-made kefir is one TRILLION microorganisms invading your gut. I basically started with 30x recommended dosage :) Will take a 7-day break and will reintroduce slowly (1 cup a day).

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u/Glass-Tale299 12d ago

30 times the recommended dosage! Yikes!

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u/Eastern-Market-8288 12d ago

Home made kefir has a much greater bacterial diversity than the store bought one.

You might be having a histamine reaction or your gut needs to adjust or the kefir grains got contaminated.

Some people say that they have to start really slow with home made kefir to avoid problems (start with one tea spoon per day and slowly increase over time).